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On November 8th 2011 a new record was broken for the most expensive photo to be sold at auction, unfortunately it was not one of ours. German artist Andreas Gursky, sold his photograph of the Rhine River at Christies Auction house in New York for a staggering $4.3m.

I know what you are thinking? I could have shot that, and your probably right, it’s not what you would expect for $4.3 million dollars. If you told me that it was an Ansel Adams original photograph then it’s totally understandable, he was a very iconic black and white landscape photographers in early to mid 1900’s. However to pay such a staggering amount of money for an image that could easily be created by any prosumer with an SLR and some photoshop skills is somewhat of a mystery. In recent years there has been an increased demand for photographic art pieces and the prices people are willing to pay for them.

Have a look at the images below, this self portrait of Cindy Sherman in 1981 titled “Untitled #96” is the second most expensive photograph selling at auction for $3,890,500 in May 2011. The third most expensive was another of Andreas Gursky’s titled “99 Cent II Diptychon” which sold for $3.35 million in 2006. So what makes these images worth millions? Is it their minimalist qualities? Subject matter? The name of the artist? Or is it simply what someone is willing to pay for them? Nonetheless one thing is for sure they are laughing all the way to the bank and will probably take a photo in the process and sell it for more money.

Cindy-Sherman in 1981 titled “Untitled #96″sold for $3,890,500 in May 2011

Andreas Gusky’s 99 Cent II Diptychon Sold for $3.35 million in 2006.

As a result of this, we are changing our business focus and shooting weird images with the hopes of striking it rich at auction, below is a photograph titled “Absolute Cheese”. We will be putting this up for auction at Christies in New York, It’s a striking representation about (insert caption here from the best PR manager money can buy). we are starting bids at 4 million, we want that record and a Ferrari!

Fullframe Photographics “Absolute Cheese” Sold for $???

3 Comments so far

Mark
February 16

If the auctions are similar to the fine art market, the artists’ aren’t the ones pulling in these dollars. The works are usually owned by collectors/investors and buyers are frequently looking for speculative investment opportunities.

At Fine Art painting auctions, the extrinsic value and exclusivity of the artist’s reputation and what the piece represents of the artists career is what the price is all about. Rarely is it about the technical skills required to duplicate a similar piece.

Russian artist, Malevich, painted a plain, black canvas in 1913. It’s considered priceless as it not only represents the culmination of Malevich’s exploration into abstract painting and arrival at minimalism, but the piece also thumbs it’s nose to the American historians who think minimalism originated with American painters in the 60’s. The Cold War of Painting!

Hmm – something tells me I should be doing something else besides commenting on this. Back to work

greg
March 21

Talk about high prices for what some on first look would think is an abstract painting!

I wish you well in your pursuit of a ferrari.

Pat O'Dwyer
March 29

Try the owner of the MONA art gallery in Hobart there are some out there images in that place you might just get lucky. The owner is from Hobart David Walsh and he could be interested in your great work